Graphene Coated Self Cleaning Membrane Filter

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Graphene Coated Self Cleaning Membrane Filter

CPI collaborate to develop graphene coated self cleaning membrane filter

The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) is part of a UK based collaboration to develop a self cleaning membrane filter that has the potential to revolutionise liquid filtration across the globe. The consortium includes CPI alongside G2O Water International Limited (G2O), Haydale Graphene Industries Plc and Sellafield Ltd.

The two year Innovate UK-supported project aims to develop a low cost self-cleaning coating technology based on functionalised graphene, which once applied to industrial membranes makes them highly resistant to fouling. The coating will be formulated and validated by the consortium for deployment in a number of different applications including desalination, oil and water separation and also nuclear waste water treatment.

Membrane filtration technology is a highly effective method of separating liquids used for a variety of high value applications. Currently within industry, one of the key issues related to membrane filter technology is fouling and the need to clean or change the filter on a regular basis. The novel smart filter will provide excellent recovery capability and remove the need for regular cleaning, thus enabling increases in productivity and operating lifetimes alongside reductions in costs and energy wastage.

The smart filter technology has already been demonstrated successfully by G2O in lab-scale tests and the collaboration will seek to translate the lab-scale work into a working manufacturing process at pilot production scale. G2O’s patented technology has been proven to dramatically increase the performance of the membrane and has the potential to transform the water and environmental industry by reducing energy costs by up to 90%. It also has the ability to effectively clean waste water so that the water can also be re-used.

CPI ‘s role in the project is to develop, characterise and scale-up the graphene based materials alongside applying the graphene coating onto the membrane.

Speaking about the project, Dr Tom Taylor, Director of Future Business at CPI said:

“The incorporation of graphene into a self cleaning filter membrane is an extremely exciting application area for CPI. The low cost filter will enable liquids to be filtered at a fraction of current costs, and in the case of clean water, creates the opportunity to provide a solution to the millions who are affected across the globe. Graphene has the potential to revolutionise countless markets and applications. The key is to develop the technology from the lab and towards the volumes, processes and price points needed to facilitate mass market adoption, and that is exactly what CPI is working with companies to do.”

G2O CEO Tim Harper commented:

“Graphene has the potential to be a transformative technology in environmental remediation, whether providing low cost drinking water or cleaning up environmentally hazardous substances. After two rounds of independent assessments of the technology, its applications and the business itself, the approval from Innovate UK validates both the game changing nature of G2O’s technology, as well as the strength of our partners who will assist us in scaling up. We look forward to Sellafield Ltd being a long term customer.”

Source: CPI

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